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Big-Brained’ Bumblebees Access Tools!
Bumblebees may have small brains, but there’s significantly more happening beneath those exoskeletons than previously thought. Over the last decade bumblebees have proven themselves to be quite remarkable little beings with complex navigational and communication skills, emotions, and even facial recognition.

Now a study at Queen Mary University of London has successfully challenged the long held notion that only ‘large-brained’ beings can maneuver with tools. Cognitive scientist Lars Chittka and his team found that bumblebees could solve tasks and use tools to gain access to nectar. But better yet, they’ve shown bumblebees can learn this task from other bees and hive mates, without ever experiencing these tasks in nature.

‘Unique among all creatures, only the honeybee improves the environment and preys not on any other species…’
– Royden Brown

Ten Fun Facts About Honeybees!

Honeybees, scientifically known as Apis mellifera (meaning honey-carrying bee), have been buzzing around on earth for over 30-millions of years. Humans and honeybees have had a long and loyal relationship for thousands of years. Honeybees are the only insect that create/produce food we eat. 🐝

Most flowering plants have their pollen readily available for any and all pollinators to gather. But some plants are a bit more selective, even somewhat stubborn about whom they will share their nutritious golden treasure.

I just learned about a pollinating technique called ‘Buzz-Pollination from a video series produced by PBS called ‘Deep Look’. Chances are good that you have personally benefited from buzz-pollination’ through enjoying tomatoes, blue berries, cranberries, peppers, eggplant and even potatoes.

The San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park is in full bloom this summer with pollinators going wild! Look at this fabulous honeybee gathering pollen from a huge Matillija Poppy. Her little pollen purses are just teaming with food for her hive-mates.

We attended the annual ‘Flower Piano’ event this month. During our visit, strolling through this 55-acre San Francisco gem in Golden Gate Park, we saw over 5 different species of hummingbirds, fury bumble bees, honeybees, wild bees, along with numerous species of butterflies, not to mention a huge variety of botanical wonders from all over the world.

Ah the gentle hum of the blooming privet trees filled with happy bees! Every summer our Privet trees create a wondrous foraging ground for our local pollinators. I enjoy sitting in the garden, sipping my tea, and listening to the concert of deep buzzing produced […]

This month the lavender, verbena, and bottle brush are sustaining our resident flutter-bye populations. Just last weekend the Rhododendrons began to bloom, which attracted an incredible, visually dynamic, early morning brunch-fest. I just smiled as I observed their pleasant hum from my big, old, teak garden chair, sipped my first hot cup-oh-joe…

We visited the Gallery of California Natural Sciences in Oakland to see the Honeybee exhibit and learned about the 1,600 species of bees that live in California. Bees help produce our food and keep our ecosystem buzzing. There are many things we can all do to better support our local pollinators. It begins with creating a healthy and reliable food source for them, free of dangerous pesticides. Many people are unaware of the devastating effects systemic fertilizers, RoundUp, and neonicotinoids have on our wonderful pollinator communities. These chemicals contaminate the pollen and nectar bees feed upon, which in turn wipes out entire colonies.

Northern California has been a very wet, soggy place this winter. However, we are loving all the rain since our region has been in a severe drought for the last 5-years. ☔️

The winter months pose a tough time for honeybees due to the impact of cold & rain on foraging and the availability of pollen. During a break from a recent rainy deluge, I came across this busy bee gathering pollen for her hive mates. Working with great vigilance, she moved from flower to flower on our Camellia bush. If you look closely, you can see the rain drops on the top of the petals… 🌺

Yesterday after the rain stopped, I ventured through the garden to document the blooming plants producing food for our local & migratory pollinators. I photo document this seasonal bloom-cycle twice a month throughout the year to make sure our little nectar-loving friends are always ensured a veritable smorgasbord in our garden.

In the queendom of beedom, there is known to be a small bee from the genus Hylaeus sp. that has been credited with saving Christmas by researchers in New Zealand. This sweet little bee formed a much needed, yet mysterious symbiotic relationship with a very rare form of mistletoe (Peraxilla tetrapetala).

Now this is not your average, run-of-the-mill mistletoe. Rather, a single Peraxilla plant can live for more than a century, producing a cluster of spectacular crimson buds each year around the time of the Winter Solstice. 🌟

Nectar Sweet Victory Against Monsanto!
A district judge in the state of Yucatán, Mexico has overturned a permit that would have allowed Monsanto to commercially plant hundreds of thousands of hectares of soybeans genetically modified to resist the company’s infamous pesticide Roundup. The new ruling stated that introducing GM crops to the region would most certainly threaten the established and highly lucrative honey production.

Bee Calm & Buzz On… 🐝🐝🐝
Bees, as well as other pollinators (bats, hummingbirds, butterflies/moths, etc.) are in serious peril these days as a result of the many compounding issues challenging their survival. Every year, we bolster our garden with pollinating, nectar-rich plants to ensure our local pollinators remain fortified, fat and happy! (Honestly, there is nothing better than smiling little bees with their legs fat with pollen, buzzing about the yard in bliss!) 🐝🐝🐝

About

Le Voov! represents my passion for life. I believe clean air, purified water, sunshine, fresh flowers, wine, garlic, music, and laughter with family and friends all nourish the soul. Creating and enjoying delicious, healthy meals with those I love brings me an immense amount of happiness. Good nutrition is at the core of my belief that with a strong foundation of health and wellness, one can achieve anything they desire in life. As my wise sensei always said; "One cannot project what is not collected…"

Restaurant Review

At Le Voov! we celebrate the fresh, wholesome, healthy cuisine made available to us by the many talented chefs in restaurants around the globe. In blending our appreciation for quality food, with our adventurous spirit to explore a variety of cultures through our curious palate, we seek out the spices, flavors and culinary traditions from every corner of this little blue planet.

If you know of an extraordinary restaurant you would like us to review, please access our contact information and share your secret spot. Thank you in advance!

Product Review

At Le Voov! we appreciate the value of efficient, high-quality products for the home. Over the years, friends and family have asked me to make a list of my favorite gadgets, tools, gifts and books for the home and the garden.

Guess Where I Am…? 🌎

Guess Where I Am...?

From time to time, I post a photo of some magical place on the planet we’ve visited recently with the question ‘Guess Where I Am…?’ I provide the location and information pertaining to the photo. If you are so observant and well traveled as to get many of the answers correct, you can be assured you are living the Voovacious Lifestyle!

During a recent construction project at the house, an abandoned heater vent was discovered tucked deep under the lath & plaster. Apparently no one had bothered to inform the dog about this new gaping whole in the wall, and just guess what happened…?

Yep, Otter-Pop’s favorite and most cherished toy, her obnoxious yellow squeaky-ball, found it’s way down into that naughty hole in the wall. Rats! 😬

Le Voov! Movie Guide 🎥

We have always enjoyed an eclectic array of cinematic adventures in our movie choices! When I was in college, I developed a movie rating system involving a cow named ‘Bessie’. Bessie would become bipedal and applaud if she liked the film, sit in her movie chair with her legs crossed if she was bored, or leave a simple, steaming pile of poop if she thought the movie was below her very high, bovine standards. Perhaps in time I will resurrect the image of dear Bessie the cow, but for now, here is a smattering of some truly amazing movies I’ve enjoyed over the years. If you wish to share a voovacious cinematic title or two with us, please feel free to Contact us. Enjoy!

Dear Matilda

Thelma & Louise

Dear Matilda,

One of my best gal pals from college lives across the country. We have remained very close over the years, talking several times a week by phone and Skype. Two months ago, we decided to plan a road trip to Colorado to visit her niece, whom I’m very close with. We’re both really excited to have a bit of quality face-to-face time together while traveling. So, we’ve been enthusiastically planning excursions and adventures into our 6-day journey, including museums, shopping, a girls spa day, hiking a few national parks, fun restaurants to visit with her niece, etc.

Then, about three weeks ago, I was contacted by another friend from college whom I have consciously maintained little interaction with over the years. She informed me that she’d heard about our road trip and invited herself to join us...